Home Products to Make a Granite Kitchen Counter Shine

Alcohol-Based Cleaner

• Although granite counters are easily cleaned with soap and water, the soap and chemicals in the water will quickly dull the finish. For a gentle cleaner that makes counters glisten, mix 1/4 cup isopropyl alcohol, also known as household or rubbing alcohol, with two or three drops of dishwashing liquid in a quart bottle with a spray top and fill the bottle with tap water. Spray it on the granite surface and wipe clean with paper towels to achieve a shiny, streak-free counter top. If streaks persist, use a microfiber cloth or mitt to wipe away the cleaning solution.

Commercial Cleaners

• Major supermarkets and hardware stores sell cleaners specially formulated to clean granite and other types of stone countertops. These home products are more costly per ounce than the homemade solution, but are more convenient than mixing your own. To avoid over-cleaning granite countertops, which can damage the granite sealer, carefully follow manufacturers’ instructions, which usually vary for different types of stone.

Home Sealing Options

• Before installation, granite countertops are treated with sealants, which seal the pores in the stone and help them retain their shine. Kitchen and natural stone professionals usually recommend having granite countertops professionally resealed every two years. However, you can reseal the counters yourself with canned car wax, which contains the same ingredients as the solutions used by kitchen countertop technicians. Only use canned car wax, as the spray types contain different chemicals that could mar the granite, and test the car wax on a hidden area of the counter before liberally applying it to the countertop.

Shine Protection Guidelines

• In addition to shining your granite countertops with cleaners and sealants, you can maintain their luster longer through care and usage habits. Immediately blotting up spills of acidic substances such as coffee, wine, fruit juice, tomato-based sauces and soft drinks prevents surface dulling, as does quickly wiping up spilled oil and grease. Place cups, glasses, pots and pans on coasters and trivets rather than directly on the granite to maintain the counter’s shine. Use only cotton or paper cloths or soft sponges for cleaning as scrubbers made of plastic, nylon or metal scratch and dull the granite surface.